Valve seals come with most gasket kits, and it is a lot easier to put on seals with heads off engine, and stores loan the tools.

 

The passenger side head is off......the drivers side not so much. For any of you guys (like me ) who doubts the 5/8 impact socket suggestion.......

 

Spark plug picture.........this was typical of all them....70K miles. Not sure if they are original.

 

It looks like I made the right decision to take it all the way down to the head gasket. This is the passenger side head gasket, front and back water passages.

 

Hey Rearden,
Did you see any evidence the valley pan gasket was leaking any coolant?
...will go back into the earlier postings and see what you maybe said?
I am dealing with a small coolant leak from both front and rear of the engine. Without removing a lot of the top end...and the front I don't see how to tell exactly what is leaking.
Would like to think I am a lucky one and the valley pan gasket is the culprit.
I would remove the upper intake to get a better look with a pressure tester if the upper intake gaskets can be reused?

 

Yes the valley pan gasket looked suspect too. I was debating on stopping there because of it......I am glad I didn't.

 

Two more pics....other side of the valley pan gasket.

 

U R luckie the bottom side of the valley did not peel off into the oil.

 

I am thinking I am in about the same boat as you. Pretty sure the front leak is coming from the Pan gasket and the rear passenger is the head gasket. I took a pic and would like some opinions...
won't hijack your thread as it is a good one.
How mechanical are you? and how many hours do you think you'll have in the job?

 

Buzz - Is this that unusual? Any ideas why it peeled?